The MA & NH Injury Guide for Auto, Trucking and Motorcycle Accidents~4 min read

An auto accident can leave you dealing with much more than vehicle damage. If you were injured in a crash in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you may suddenly be facing medical treatment, missed work, insurance calls, mounting expenses, and uncertainty about what to do next.

The steps you take immediately after an accident, and during the weeks that follow, can have an important impact on your health, finances, and potential injury claim.

This guide explains what to do after an auto accident in Massachusetts or New Hampshire and highlights some important differences between the two states.

Important: This article is general information, not legal advice. The laws governing an individual accident can depend on the facts, insurance policies, location of the crash, and the people involved. If you suffered significant injuries, consider speaking with a qualified Massachusetts or New Hampshire personal-injury attorney.

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

Your health should be your first priority.

If you are seriously injured, call 911 or have someone call for you. Even when an injury initially seems minor, medical evaluation can be important because some accident-related conditions do not become obvious immediately.

Neck and back injuries, concussions, soft-tissue injuries, and other conditions can develop or worsen over the hours or days following a collision.

Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and attend follow-up appointments. Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, diagnostic reports, and other documentation relating to your treatment.

Do not assume that feeling better for a few days means the injury has completely resolved.

2. Report the Accident

If you are physically able to do so, remain at the scene and cooperate with law enforcement.

New Hampshire specifically requires a driver involved in an accident resulting in death, personal injury, or more than $1,000 in property damage to report the accident in writing to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days, unless the accident was investigated by a police officer and the statutory reporting requirement is otherwise satisfied.

If you were injured and cannot make a required report yourself, another person may be able to make the report on your behalf.

In Massachusetts, you should also promptly report an accident when required and preserve the police report and other accident documentation.

If police responded to the scene, obtain the report number and request a copy when it becomes available.

3. Exchange Information, But Be Careful What You Say

Obtain the other driver’s:

• Name and contact information
• Driver’s license information
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy information
• Vehicle information

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information as well.

Take photographs of the vehicles, roadway, traffic signals, visible injuries, debris, skid marks, and surrounding area if you can safely do so.

Avoid arguing with the other driver. Most importantly, do not make statements such as “I’m sorry,” “I wasn’t paying attention,” or “The accident was my fault.”

Even seemingly polite comments can later be taken out of context.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurer promptly and provide accurate information.

In Massachusetts, automobile insurance includes Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP. Massachusetts law provides PIP coverage for qualifying medical expenses and certain lost wages resulting from an automobile accident, subject to the applicable statutory limits and circumstances.

Massachusetts PIP generally covers qualifying expenses without regard to who caused the accident, although important limitations and coordination rules can apply.

Do not assume that notifying your insurance company means you have agreed to a settlement.

5. Understand the Difference Between Massachusetts and New Hampshire

The state where the accident occurred can matter significantly.

Massachusetts has a no-fault component through PIP coverage. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may also pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for damages.

Massachusetts generally has a three-year statute of limitations for personal-injury actions.

New Hampshire is different. New Hampshire generally permits personal-injury actions within three years under RSA 508:4, subject to exceptions and circumstances that can affect when the limitations period begins.

New Hampshire also has medical-payments coverage requirements for private passenger automobile policies, with statutory provisions addressing reasonable medical expenses following an accident.

New Hampshire does not generally require drivers to carry automobile insurance in the same way Massachusetts does. The New Hampshire DMV explains that an uninsured driver involved in an accident can nevertheless face responsibility for damages and medical expenses and potentially consequences involving driving privileges.

Because insurance rules differ between the states, determining which coverage applies to your accident can be complicated, particularly if you live in one state and the crash occurred in another.

6. Keep Detailed Records

Create an accident file and save everything related to the crash.

Include:

• Police reports
• Medical records and bills
• Prescription receipts
• Insurance correspondence
• Photographs and videos
• Repair estimates
• Pay stubs and employment records
• Documentation of missed work
• Names of witnesses
• Notes about your symptoms and recovery

Keep a simple daily record describing your pain, limitations, medical appointments, missed work, and how the injury affects ordinary activities.

This documentation can help demonstrate the real-world impact of your injuries.

These steps are important in preserving your rights when injured in a motor vehicle collision. If you were injured, contact the experienced personal injury team at PMM Law.